Electric Wizards
A Tapestry of Heavy Music, 1968 to the Present
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Reaktion Books
Published:13th Sep '21
£25.00
Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.
In Electric Wizards, readers embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of heavy music, tracing its roots from the iconic Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’ to its modern incarnations. This exploration highlights how the genre was distilled to its dark essence by pioneers like Black Sabbath, setting the stage for a vibrant underground scene that continues to thrive today, exemplified by bands such as Newcastle’s Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. The narrative is rich with insights into how heavy music has transformed over the decades.
The voyage through Electric Wizards is marked by a diverse array of sounds and styles, showcasing everything from the lysergic blunt trauma of Blue Cheer to the innovative grooves of Funkadelic. The book delves into a variety of genres, including post-punk, industrial, grunge, and stoner rock, revealing how each phase of heavy music has been shaped by its predecessors. It draws attention to both celebrated household names and obscure cult heroes, emphasizing the eclectic lineage that stretches far beyond conventional definitions of heavy rock or metal.
By celebrating those who dared to innovate and introduce fresh elements into this elemental tradition, Electric Wizards crafts a new tapestry of heavy music. It illuminates the connections between artists and eras, demonstrating how creativity and experimentation have propelled the genre forward, making it a must-read for both enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
As a compendium of leap-off points, Electric Wizards is a mind-riot . . . Heavy music has deserved its own tome but the only thing heavy about his book is its weight – its tone and style are illuminatingly light and wonderfully convivial throughout. Someone get Electric Wizards on the national music curriculum now.
* Neil Kulkarni, The Wire *An enthrallingly funny read, and one that's hard to put down despite its girth. * Record Collector *
Electric Wizards is a good read because it’s constantly analyzing and theorizing – inspiring the reader to follow suit. No matter what your tastes in heavy sounds, you’ll find yourself considering new perspectives and rethinking artists you may have dismissed or overlooked. There have been plenty of superficial, fawning heavy rock histories, so it’s good to finally have one that challenges the reader. * Ugly Things *
Electric Wizards is a superbly written book about what JR Moores calls "heavy music". Not heavy metal, heavy music, which he persuasively and wittily argues includes musical artists as diverse as, for instance, Black Sabbath, Babes in Toyland, Funkadelic and all kinds of bands and singers in between . . . Fed up with the bland musical fare offered up by radio and "music tv" this is the book for you, and once you hear doors slamming and the neighbours banging on your walls you pretty much know you’re in the presence of heavy music - just make sure JR Moores is there to guide you. * The Crack *
A depth-charge exploration to the bloodied heart of heavy. Essential, energetic writing – JR Moores is the netherworld guide we always needed. * Harry Sword, author of Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion *
Simultaneously hilarious, provocative and sensitive; wildly entertaining while always getting to the heart of the matter . . . Just take my goddamned bitcoin already. * John Doran, The Quietus *
The landscape of heavy music is vast, its existence is ever evolving. There is no better person to explore its dynamic terrain than JR Moores. * Matt Baty, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs *
JR Moores covers a rich landscape of sounds . . . What’s more, he achieves a rare feat in rock criticism of saying something fresh and interesting about The Beatles. * Dan Franklin, author of HEAVY: How Metal Changes the Way We See the World *
This book will open a wormhole in your brain. * Joe Thompson, Hey Coloss
ISBN: 9781789144482
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
480 pages